Cost: 1,290 euro per person

 

Includes:

• Visits as indicated on the programme
  
• Pick up airport, train, station or hotel in Paris,
  
• Chauffeur-guide services during the 3 days,
  
• Diners, nights and breakfasts in a 3-star hotel on days 1 and 2, price based on 2 people sharing a room (single supplement : 90 €)
  
• Lunches on day 1, 2 and 3,
  
• Transport in air-conditioned minibus,
  
• Drop off in Paris at the end of the trip

Itinerary

DAY1: Gisors-Château Gaillard-Rouen

From Paris to Gisors, old city on the border between the Ile de France and Normandy. Guided tour of the solid fortress buuilt in 1095 by William The Red, son of the William the Conqueror. Further along the river we come to St Clair sur Epte where Charles the Simple gave up Rouen to Rollon in 911. The glorious Viking chief then became the first Duke of Normandy.

You then have standing in front of you the magnificent ruins of Château Gaillard, built 100 years later in 1196-97 ordered by King Richard the Lionheart.

After a guided tour, we leave in the direction of Rouen and lunch in the medieval centre… visit of the Place du Marché where Joan of Arc was burnt on Wednesday 30th May, 1431… Free time to stroll in the narrow streets bordered by half-timbered houses, the "Gros Horloge", the cathedral (11th and 12th c.), churches of St Maclou (1437-1517) and St Ouen (1318 -15th c.)…

Dinner and night at Hotel Best Western La Bertellière

DAY2: Abbey of Jumièges-Caen
You will appreciate the generous soul of the Benedictine abbey of Jumièges (7thC.) which survived repeated attacks by the Normans and hid Charles VII and Agnès Sorel. In the forest, you will love yet another abbey named after a monk, St Wandrille : a beautiful example of religious art.    

Visit of St Etienne church (11th-13th c.), masterpiece with the unusual mixture of Roman and Gothic styles, where William the Conqueror is buried. His beloved is not far : Mathilde lies in the Abbaye aux Dames (11th-13th c.)… When the evening is drawing in, don't miss the captivating view from the castle ramparts upon the old city of Caen with its bell-towers and medieval houses.

Dinner in the city centre.
Night at Hotel Best Western in Caen

DAY3: Bayeux-Falaise

On the road to Bayeux, devastated long ago by the Men from the North. There stands the cathedral Notre Dame, beautiful building of the Norman Gothic school; it was finished 1000 years ago by the Bishop Odon, a boisterous arms fellow of William. Visit of the museum where the "tapestry" is kept. This tapestry, actually an embroidery, recounts William's conquest of England. The Sermon of Edward the Confessor and Harold's betrayal will be the cause of the battle of Hastings

Lunch will be served in Bayeux.

In the afternoon, you will visit the château of Falaise (12th and 13th c.), quite surprising by its size and still awe-inspiring. In 1035, William the Bastard was born there, illegitimate son of Robert, duke of Normandy and the young and beautiful but common Arlette… On the way back, we will take the small roads to the abbey of the Bec Hellouin (11th c.) and then drive on to Paris.